Sex Slave Ring Broken Up in Thailand

Thai police recently busted a sex slavery ring, rescuing nine boys and arresting a Buddhist monk. Police footage shows the monk in possession of several fake guns. Experts working the case say he and another Thai man bought boys, held them prisoner and then sold them to Westerners for sex.

The leader of the ring was sentenced to 84 years in prison for human trafficking and sexual abuse, a sentence that has since been halved because the judges said he’d cooperated with investigators and the court. The monk, who has been expelled from the clergy, received a 21-year prison sentence for trafficking and sexually abusing under-aged children.

Read More >>>
http://thecnnfreedomproject.blogs.cnn.com/2011/05/24/fighting-child-sex-slavery-in-thailand/

Via Buddhaforum.org

25 Years After Buddha, Women Are being Acknwledged

Buddhist women are celebrating a landmark victory: In April, the renowned Institute for Buddhist Dialectical Studies (IBD) in Dharamsala, India, conferred the degree of "Geshe" -- the Tibetan equivalent of Ph.D. -- to Venerable Kelsang Wangmo, a German nun. This is a historical first in so many ways: Traditionally, Geshe degrees are conferred on monks after 12 or more years of rigorous study in Buddhist philosophy. For the first time in history, a nun has now received this degree, and even more surprising, a Western woman. Venerable Kelsang Wangmo is finally rewarded for mastering the strenuous study course in highest Buddhist philosophy. She has already been teaching philosophy at the Institute for more than five years.

So, why is this such a big deal and why did it take so long? After all, in the West the first professor degree was awarded to a woman at a European university almost 300 years ago, in 1732. (Scientist Laura Bassi taught physics at the University of Bologna.) And more than 2,500 years ago the Buddha himself allowed women into his order and ordained his own foster mother, Mahaprajapati. She and 500 like-minded women had to shave their heads and walk 350 miles barefoot to show their unwavering determination, before the Buddha finally granted their request -- a revolutionary decision in India at the time. The Buddha's order was the first in Asia to formally allow women in its ranks.

Read More >>>
www.huffingtonpost.com/michaela-haas/buddhism-women_b_862798.html

via Buddhaforum.org

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Slideshow-View Each Moment as a Dream

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Short Quotes Of Wisdom

Non-Buddhist Quotes on Wisdom from Buddha Forum

by Dharmakara on Fri Nov 26, 2010 9:28 pm

Below is a collection of wisdom quotes on par with what one finds in the Dhammapada. Coventional truths? Ultimate truths? Or maybe just universal ones? I'll let you decide.

Wise men learn more from fools than fools from the wise. 
-- Cato the Elder 

Silence is foolish if we are wise, but wise if we are foolish. 
-- Charles Caleb Colton 

The mistakes of the fool are known to the world, but not to himself. The mistakes of the wise man are known to himself, but not to the world. 
-- Charles Caleb Colton 

A fool despises good counsel, but a wise man takes it to heart. 
-- Confucius 

Who are a little wise the best fools be. 
-- John Donne 

It takes a wise man to handle a lie, a fool had better remain honest. 
-- Norman Douglas 

Love works a different way in different minds, the fool it enlightens and the wise it blinds. 
-- John Dryden 

It is the nature of the wise to resist pleasures, but the foolish to be a slave to them. 
-- Epictetus 

The heart of a fool is in his mouth, but the mouth of a wise man is in his heart. 
-- Benjamin Franklin 

Wise men don't need advice. Fools won't take it. 
-- Benjamin Franklin 

The fool wanders, a wise man travels. 
-- Thomas Fuller 

Sometimes one likes foolish people for their folly, better than wise people for their wisdom. 
-- Elizabeth Gaskell 

A wise man gets more use from his enemies than a fool from his friends. 
-- Balthasar Gracian 

Controversy equalizes fools and wise men -- and the fools know it. 
-- Oliver Wendell Holmes, Jr. 

Even a fool may be wise after the event. 
-- Homer 

Logical consequences are the scarecrows of fools and the beacons of wise men. 
-- Thomas Huxley 

Education is a crutch with which the foolish attack the wise to prove that they are not idiots. 
-- Karl Kraus 

One fool can ask more questions in a minute than twelve wise men can answer in an hour. 
-- Nikolai Lenin 

Wise people are foolish if they cannot adapt to foolish people. 
-- Michel Eyquem de Montaigne 

The foolish man seeks happiness in the distance, the wise grows it under his feet. 
-- J. Robert Oppenheimer 

Wise men talk because they have something to say; fools talk because they have to say something. 
-- Plato 

Learning makes the wise wiser and the fool more foolish. 
-- John Ray 

The fool thinks himself to be wise, but the wise man knows himself to be a fool. 
-- William Shakespeare 

A wise man can see more from the bottom of a well than a fool can from a mountain top. 
-- Unknown 

Only a fool knows everything. A wise man knows how little he knows. 
-- Unknown 

Fools give you reasons, wise men never try. 
-- Oscar Hammerstein II 

A fool flatters himself, a wise man flatters the fool. 
-- Edward G. Bulwer-Lytton 

A fool sees not the same tree that a wise man sees. 
-- William Blake 

Wise men learn by other men's mistakes, fools by their own. 
-- H. G. Bohn 

A wise person does at once, what a fool does at last. Both do the same thing; only at different times. 
-- John Dalberg Acton

A Pair of Broken-in Jeans

Buddhism has settled with me, like a pair of broken-in jeans.  At first it was exciting and now it's comfortable.

On a different note, I was thinking about what people might say about me if I passed away tomorrow.  Was I kind?  Was I good to people?  Did I make a difference?  Or was I waste of oxygen spending too much time in the hungry ghost realm?  I'm not phishing, just thinking.  Maybe it's my age that has me thinking this way.  I'd like to make more of an impact; that's a long-term goal.

Translation Services

Please support Erick Sherab Zangpo.  He is living in India trying to make ends meet by translating Tibetan texts to which we would otherwise not have access.  You can find his services here.  His business is called "Fortunate Aeon Translation Services."

http://emptyelephant.wordpress.com/

Smoking

I missed a Medicine Buddha retreat.  I've felt bad ever since.  I heard from my dharma teacher yesterday from whom I was going to receive teachings.  He told me not to feel bad, but to quit smoking.

Smoking is a major obstacle to my Buddhist practice and my life in general.  I'm going to quit.  It won't be easy, but I think I've done more difficult things in my life.

Sick friend

My dear friend and mentor seems to be very ill.  Samsara is sad at times.  Birth, aging, sickness and death are unavoidable.  I accept this, but with trepidation.  I am further motivated to see things as they truly are, without afflictions.

Free Wallpapers

Here are some lovely wallpapers that are easy to download and use. You can find some beautiful free Buddhist-themed wallpapers for your computer here:

TsemTulku.com

And here are some lovely wallpapers, although they’re primarily nature-themed. But I’m currently using ones from this site:

Kripalu.org

His Holiness the Dalai Lama on Humanity and Ecology

"HUMANITY AND ECOLOGY"

Peace and the survival of life on earth as we know it are threatened by human activities that lack a commitment to humanitarian values. Destruction of nature and natural resources results from ignorance, greed and lack of respect for the earth's living things.

This lack of respect extends even to the earth's human descendants, the future generations who will inherit a vastly degraded planet if world peace does not become a reality, and if destruction of the natural environment continues at the present rate.

Our ancestors viewed the earth as rich and bountiful, which it is. Many people in the past also saw nature as inexhaustibly sustainable, which we know is the case only if we care for it.

It is not difficult to forgive destruction in the past which resulted from ignorance. Today, however, we have access to more information; it is essential that we re-examine ethically what we have inherited, what we are responsible for, and what we will pass on to coming generations.

Many of the earth's habitats, animals, plants, insects and even micro-organisms that we know to be rare may not be known at all by future generations. We have the capability and the responsibility to ace; we must do so before it is too late.

Just as we should cultivate gentle and peaceful relations with our fellow human beings, we should also extend that same kind of attitude towards the natural environment. Morally speaking, we should be concerned for our whole environment.

This, however, is not just a question of morality or ethics, but a question of our own survival. For this generation and for future generations, the environment is very important. If we exploit the environment in extreme ways, we will suffer, as will our future generations. When the environment changes, the climatic condition also changes. When the climate changes dramatically, the economy and many other things change. Our physical health will be greatly affected. Again, conservation is not merely a question of morality, but a question of our own survival.

Therefore, in order to achieve more effective environmental protection and conservation, internal balance within the human being himself or herself is essential. The negligence of the environment, which has resulted in great harm to the human community, resulted from our ignorance of the very special importance of the environment. We must now help people to understand the need for environmental protection. We must teach people to understand the need for environmental protection. We must teach people that conservation directly aids our survival.

If you must be selfish, then be wise and not narrow-minded in your selfishness. The key point lies in the sense of universal responsibility. That is the real source of strength, the real source of happiness. If we exploit everything available, such as trees, water and minerals, and if we don't plan for our next generation, for the future, then we're at fault, aren't we? However, if we have a genuine sense of universal responsibility as our central motivation, then our relations with the environment, and with all our neighbours, will be well balanced.

Ultimately, the decision to save the environment must come from the human heart. The key point is a call for a genuine sense of universal responsibility that is based on love, compassion and clear awareness.

(From "Humanity and Ecology", © 1988, The Office of His Holiness the Dalai Lama)
http://hhdl.dharmakara.net/hhdlspeech.html

Confusion as the Source of Problems

The following excerpt is from the Berzin archives, found here at the link below.  I'll make some remarks regarding daily practice and Buddhism in daily life as I experience it.

http://www.berzinarchives.com/web/en/archives/sutra/level1_getting_started/

general_introductory_material/

dharma_daily_life.html

I find that these words are very true for me. I find that most of my problems are created out of fear or confusion.  Very often it is fear.  And the self and other problem that Dr. Berzin refers to is quite true. We spend our time polarizing rather than embracing so much of the time because we are unable to truly see the nature of our existence.  We confuse dependently arisen objects as being true, real, and separate.  By doing so we become accidentally narcissistic and can easily stray from the bodhisattva ideal and the very basic perfection of dana. While taming the mind is a lot of work, I do believe that it's possible.  I have to believe that, (even if it takes aeons).  With enough time, practice, circumstances and blessings, we may even achieve some understanding of the true nature of reality.

If we explore confusion, we see that one aspect of it is confusion about behavioral cause and effect. We are confused about what to do or say and about what will happen as a result. We can be very confused about what type of job to get, whether to get married, whether to have children, etc. If we get into a relationship with a person, what will the result be? We do not know. Our ideas of what will follow from our choices are really just fantasies. We might think that if we get into a deep relationship with a certain person, we will live happily ever after, like in a fairy tale. If we are upset in a situation, we think that yelling will make it better. We have a very confused idea about how the other person is going to respond to what we do. We think that if we yell and speak our minds, we will feel better and everything will be all right, but everything will not be all right. We want to know what will happen. We desperately look at astrology or throw coins for The Book of Changes, the I Ching. Why do we do things like that? We want to be in control of what happens.

Buddhism says that a deeper level of confusion is confusion about how we and others exist and about how the world exists. We are confused about the whole issue of control. We think that it is possible to be totally in control of what happens to us. Because of that, we get frustrated. It is not possible to always be in control. That is not reality. Reality is very complex. Many things influence what happens, not just what we do. It is not that we are totally out of control or manipulated by external forces either. We contribute to what happens, but we are not the sole factor that determines what happens.

Because of our confusion and insecurity, we often actdestructively without even knowing that it is destructive behavior. This is because we are under the influence of disturbing emotions, disturbing attitudes, and the compulsive impulses that come up from our habits. Not only do we act destructively toward others; we primarily act in self-destructive ways. In other words, we create more problems for ourselves. If we want fewer problems or liberation from our problems, or even further, the ability to help others to get out of their problems as well, we need to acknowledge the source of our limitations.

New life at Buddha Blog

The Buddha Blog is back and I'm really pleased to tell you that Pema Rigdzin is now a co-author here.  He's quite a find!  We are fortunate  :)

Embryology.

A while ago, Dr Pasang worked on the last parts of this very informative work. Now all four parts are finished and I like to share it here as well.

I like to thank Dr Pasang for all his efforts in this, making it possible many interested ones can learn from it. Thank you very much.


Embryology (Chhagstshul-rigpa)Embryology is described in the second tantra and elaborated in its commentaries. It is especially detailed in the dGahvo-mngal’juggi-mdo, the ‘sutra of conception‘ expounded by Buddha to his disciple Ananda[1].

Some information also taken from the tantras gives light and clarifications. Therefore the Tibetan embryology is remarkably detailed and full of information concerning the body/mind, energy and subtle anatomy.

http://www.tibetanmedicine-edu.org/index.php/n-articles/tibetan-embryology-1

http://www.tibetanmedicine-edu.org/index.php/n-articles/tibetan-embryology-2

http://www.tibetanmedicine-edu.org/index.php/n-articles/tibetan-embryology-3

http://www.tibetanmedicine-edu.org/index.php/n-articles/tibetan-embryology-4

Bowing.

Gratitude

I am so grateful that muni is back.

Homage to Khenpo La. Simple joy.

When wrong ones and enemies are destroyed by destroying the only root (ego-clinging) of all of them is there simple joy and care for all.

Dance with Khenpo La. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PNCj4OI78fA&feature=related

Praying in gratefulness for all he offered, waiting on reincarnation.

Care for animals: more happiness in human life.

With hearty welcome to puppy Lucy.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FyXFyXK0Cj4&NR=1

"Beerwah, Australia — With creatures great and small around him, the Dalai Lama called Wednesday for a halt to lab experiments on animals and made the case for eating only fruits and vegetables - all at the zoo of the late "Crocodile Hunter" Steve Irwin.

The spiritual head of Tibetan Buddhists delicately handled a Burmese python and petted a koala as he was feted like a rock star at Australia Zoo, speaking to a sold-out crowd of 5,000 at its open-air "Crocoseum."

"Hunting, beef, sheep farms, piggeries, millions, billions, die," the Dalai Lama said. "We can be so cruel to animals."

Although he sometimes sparked laughter with his remarks, the Dalai Lama's 30-minute address also had a more serious note: He criticized companies and organizations that he said "remain indifferent" to the rights of animals by experimenting on them.

Irwin, host of the TV wildlife show "Crocodile Hunter," died last September when the barb from a stingray pierced his chest while he was diving on the Great Barrier Reef.

The Dalai Lama thanked Irwin's family for their support of wildlife.
"Taking care of animals is essential to developing more happiness in human beings," he said. "I appreciate Steve Irwin and his wife, Terri, all their dedication."

The hourlong zoo tour was a change for the Dalai Lama, whose trip to Australia has prompted lawmakers to express concern about meetings with the man China considers an exiled troublemaker.

After weeks of hedging, Prime Minister John Howard agreed to see the Dalai Lama on Friday. Howard is anxious not to offend Beijing because Australia's economy is closely tied to China's booming demand for natural resources.

China, which rules Tibet, has used diplomatic pressure to discourage governments from meeting with the Dalai Lama, and Beijing immediately criticized Howard's decision to see him.

The Dalai Lama, his long red robe flapping in the wind, received a standing ovation as he took the stage at the Crocoseum on a sunny but crisp winter morning.

Some of the crowd waved Buddhist prayer flags, and about a dozen Australian native birds, including black cockatoos and rainbow lorikeets, unexpectedly flew into the stadium just as he began speaking.

The Dalai Lama described the benefits of being a vegetarian, saying he became meat, dairy and egg-free in 1965, although he acknowledges he now eats meat occasionally. He said he used to buy animals to save them from the slaughterhouses when he was a young man in Tibet.

Asked to speak about the importance of family, the Dalai Lama urged parents to show as much compassion as possible to their children, and suggested that children be taught "warmheartedness" as part of the school curriculum.

The 71-year-old admitted he's not sure how he'd cope as a parent.

"I'm a monk, so I have no children ... but I may lose my temper," he said with a laugh.
The Dalai Lama's visit ended when Terri Irwin and her children, Bindi and Bob, came on stage, with Bindi carrying a koala.

"He is rather lazy ... just like myself," the Dalai Lama joked of the koala before presenting the Irwin family with Buddhist white scarves, or katas, which are used to signal the positive start of new relationships."

Picture Dalai Lama with Koala: http://www2.ljworld.com/photos/2007/jun/14/126573/

10 Facts About Tibet

1. The invasion of Tibet began in 1949. Chinese occupation has resulted in the death of over one million Tibetans, the destruction of over 6,000 monasteries, nunneries and temples, and the imprisonment and torture of thousands of Tibetans.

2. The Dalai Lama*, Tibet's political and spiritual leader, fled Tibet in 1959 to Dharamsala, India, followed by over 100,000 Tibetans and established the Tibetan Government-in Exile. In 1989, he was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for a steadfast dedication to non-violence.

3. Tibet, before occupation, was a nation with an established sovereign government, currency, postal system, language, legal system, and culture. Prior to 1950, the Tibetan government also signed treaties with foreign nations. The Chinese government claims that Tibet has always been part of China, yet its invasion of Tibet resembles imperialist aggression that China accuses other powers of exhibiting.

4. The "Tibetan Autonomous Region" (TAR) is not Tibet, nor is it autonomous. The Chinese government has divided historical Tibet into one region and several prefectures and counties, with the TAR encompassing only the central area and some eastern regions of Tibet.

5. The basic freedoms of speech, religion, and assembly are strictly limited, and arbitrary arrests continue. There are currently hundreds of political prisoners in Tibet, enduring a commonplace punishment of torture.

6. The Chinese government increasingly encourages Han Chinese to migrate to Tibet, offering them higher wages and other inducements. This policy is threatening the survival of Tibetan people. Tibetans are becoming a minority in the TAR. Yearly, thousands of Tibetans still flee from Tibet, making the treacherous journey over the Himalayas into a world of exile.

7. Historical Tibet was a vast country, with an area roughly equal to Western Europe. Tibet is the source of five of Asia's largest rivers, which provide water for two billion people. Tibet's fragile environment is endangered by Chinese strip-mining, nuclear waste dumping, and extensive deforestation.

8. The Chinese government claims to have “developed” Tibet, with “developments” mainly benefiting the new majority Chinese, not Tibetans. China, neglecting education and healthcare, has spent millions of dollars building infrastructure; many roads, buildings, and power plants directly support heavy militarization, allowing China to maintain Tibet as a police state.

9. The Chinese government aggressively seeks foreign investment for its “Go West” campaign, with use of these international funds to develop Tibet as a resource extraction colony and consolidate regional control. Foreign investments in Chinese companies legitimise China's colonisation and exploitative projects that harm Tibet.

10. The United Nations and international community have done very little to address the core issue of China’s illegal occupation of Tibet. China represents an enormous market and cheap labour force, and its associated businesses have such a strong lobby that officials are reluctant to take substantive measures. Since western countries adopted policies of so-called “constructive engagement” with China in the 1990s, the human rights situation in Tibet has only deteriorated.

-Source

Tweeting?

Twitter is weird! I was just reading some tweets. It's just so very exposed and out there. I thought blogging was weird anyhow, but twitter is really strange.

But I heard HHDL tweets. Wish I could find his...

I spoke

I spoke at the services today. People approached me after that to thank me, and there were some tears. I hope I did okay; I felt so nervous and self-conscious afterwards. But I'm glad I did it, Anna was very special and her life was precious.